Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Keweenaw County Sheriff Curt Pennala discusses the need for a volunteer search-and-rescue team for the Keweenaw Tuesday at the Allouez Community Center.

ALLOUEZ — A standing-room only crowd at the Allouez Community Center on Tuesday gathered as more than 70 people learned more about the formation of a search-and-rescue organization from Keweenaw County Sheriff Curt Pennala along with Sgt. Mark Aho. Both were very pleased to see such a large turnout for an initial meeting.

“We are really seeing a need in our line of work with more and more people coming to the Keweenaw and participating in all the outdoor activities and opportunities we have, ” said Pennala. “With this increase of visitors, we have seen a lot more stress on our rescue efforts and are here tonight to try to alleviate that stress and be prepared for continued growth.”

The sheriff outlined several specific areas where volunteer help is needed year-round. This includes backcountry search and rescue, water-and-ice rescue and high-angle rescue.

“We want to have a team for each of these areas,” Aho stated. “Each of these teams would have a leader and an assistant team leaders. While we have an off-road rescue team in place through Ahmeek, and we want to build off that to these specific (rescue) areas. Each group would meet regularly for training throughout the year.”

Many of those in attendance were volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTS) or first responders from area townships and had a chance to fill out an application on the spot. Pennala said that around 20 people on each team would be ideal because they would be certain that they could get around five to 10 people to show up and assist in the case of an actual rescue emergency.

“When you fill out the application, you can pick your commitment level and to which team you would like to sign up with,” Pennala said.

He added that while the county has a fair amount of equipment, they are working on some grants to secure more equipment and to help with training exercises.

“We are initially thinking of having monthly training exercises,” he said. “That will include everything from getting to know the equipment we have to map and compass reading as well as actual scenario and situational on-site training.”

Pennala and Aho both noted that over the past few months they went around the state and had a chance to visit other search-and-rescue teams. This included visits to outfits in Alpena, Marquette and Alger counties.

“This was good because we were able to see what these other groups were doing. So, now we want to bring that back and see what fits for us here in the Keweenaw,” said Pennala.

He added that, in the meantime, the Keweenaw Sheriff’s Office is always working on having (location) signage more accessible for the county’s several miles of trails.

“The more details we know of where someone needs help, obviously the better off we are going to be to respond in a timely manner,” he said.

With that in the mind, he noted that the key in starting this local search-and-rescue group is that it will be made up of people who know the area.

“If we have a core group of people here who know these roads and backroads well, then we are not wasting time getting to work,” he said. “We don’t see tourism slowing down here anytime soon, and we want to keep the Keweenaw safe and enjoyable.”